Gold Cup Statistics

By Stephen Dillon

12:01AM GMT 13 Mar 2003

Not many Cheltenham Gold Cup winners have returned for further glory in modern times and Best Mate will be attempting to become the first dual winner since L'Escargot in 1970-71. Only one of the last 10 winners has managed to make the frame subsequently - Jodami, successful in 1993 and third 12 months later. A gruelling race and one that often leaves its mark on the winner. The Fellow (1994), Master Oats (1995) and Cool Dawn (1998) failed to win another race, while Garrison Savannah (1991) and Cool Ground (1992) suffered 14 and 20 subsequent defeats respectively. Mr Mulligan (1997) was unimpressive when landing one more victory before injury cut short his career, while Imperial Call (1996) was arguably never the same again.

The portents for Best Mate are certainly not good. It is rare for horses to win the King George VI Chase and Cheltebnham Gold Cup in the same season. Desert Orchid (1988-89) was the last, and he was the first since Arkle in the mid-sixties. Since Desert Orchid, 10 have tried and failed.

This has also been something of a bogey race for market leaders and in the last 10 years only Master Oats has justified favouritism.

Proven ability on Cheltenham's switchback course is important. Eight of the last 10 were previous course winners. Five had either won or been placed at the Festival before, but only two had run in a previous Gold Cup.

Age is against See More Business, Marlborough, You're Agoodun and Modular. No horse above the age of 10 has triumphed since the subsequently disqualified 12-year-old Tied Cottage in 1980.